It's been a bumpy road for Obama's nominee to head the nation's top energy regulator. Norman Bay has faced criticism from Republicans and pro-fossil fuel Democrats.

Bay currently directs FERC's enforcement wing, but has never sat as commissioner.

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The other nominee, Cheryl LaFleur, who is the current acting chairwoman of FERC, was favored by many to stay on as head of the commission. Obama nominated her to sit for another five years as a commissioner.

Leading up to the Senate committee vote last month, Chairwoman Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and ranking member on the committee Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) worked to strike a deal with the White House to keep LaFLeur on as head for a longer period of time.

The two nominees will likely have enough support in the Senate to be confirmed with the understanding from the White House that Bay will not take the leadership role at FERC for another nine months.